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America’s largest trail race series to debut in New England
The action will take place in New Hampshire and Vermont.
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There’s a trail race series debuting in New England this June that celebrates mountain culture.
Cirque Series, billed as the country’s largest trail race series, is expanding to the East Coast for the first time this summer with races at Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire on June 7 and at Killington Ski Resort in Killington, Vermont on June 28. More than 4,200 runners will take part in the series this year and past participants have ranged in age from 6 to 82 years old.
Cirque was founded in 2015 by professional skier Julian Carr, an X Games gold medalist and a world record holder for the highest invert on skis. He has also appeared in several Warren Miller films. The series celebrates mountain culture year round by bringing people together at ski areas during the off season and featuring a vendor village curated for the local community.
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“I started Cirque to create the kind of mountain races I was looking for, competitions that are both extremely fun and undeniably challenging, summiting peaks in the most efficient manner possible, with a party waiting for you at the finish line,” said Carr, in a statement. “Bringing the series to the East Coast is especially meaningful. The terrain is raw, the community is passionate, and these mountains match the grit of the runners who call them home.”
Cirque has partnered with Tom Hooper, founder of New Hampshire-based trail running organization SIX03 Endurance, who manages some of the region’s most prestigious trail races such as the Loon Mountain Race and Sunapee Scramble.
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“Trail running is still in its infancy, and it’s been incredible to watch how the SIX03 Endurance community has helped shape its growth while putting New England on the map as a trail running hub,” said Hooper, in a statement. “To enhance a sport that welcomes all paces and abilities, events like Cirque are uniquely positioned to develop as inclusive and deeply rewarding experiences for diverse athletes.”
At Cannon in Franconia Notch State Park, runners will tackle the 6.7-mile Kinsman Ridge Trail with 3,385 feet of elevation gain and enjoy panoramic vistas of Franconia Ridge and Willoughby Gap. The race is partnering with Granite Outdoor Alliance to feature a Rock City village with New Hampshire brands. Those interested can view a map and register here.
At Killington, runners will complete a 7.2-mile course with 3,133 feet of elevation gain, including three of Killington’s six peaks, and enjoy views of the Green Mountains. Those interested can view a map and register here.
For more information, visit cirqueseries.com.
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